A barrel sauna is a round outdoor sauna built from long wooden staves held by steel bands. 26 of the 28 barrels in our catalog use an electric stove and need a 240V circuit. The other 2 are infrared barrels that plug into a standard outlet. Every one needs a level outdoor base.
The round shape holds less air than a square room with the same bench length, so there is less space for the stove to heat. The staves also make the outside of the sauna its own weatherproof shell, which is why barrels are almost always sold for outdoor use. The trade-off is headroom at the edges and a curved back that some people find less comfortable than a flat wall.
Barrels compete directly with small outdoor cabins. If you want a porch, a flat roof line or a window seat, look at the cabins in our outdoor sauna guide. If you are weighing heat styles, our infrared vs traditional comparison explains the difference between the stove barrels and the infrared ones. Groups of four or more will find more options in our family-size guide.
We order saunas with the same method used across the site. It is based on published specs and never on commission. A sauna whose maker doesn't publish its size goes last, because we can't check whether it fits.
Main advantage: Strong heat for its type: up to 170°F
Main compromise: Priced high for its category: $9,995 against a $4,290 median for infrared outdoor saunas
Main advantage: Low price for what you get: $5,644 against a $8,180 median for traditional and hybrid outdoor saunas
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Strong heat for its type: up to 170°F
Main compromise: Priced high for its category: $9,495 against a $4,290 median for infrared outdoor saunas
Main advantage: Roomy: about 9.9 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Strong heat for its type: up to 190°F
Main compromise: Warranty shorter than most similar saunas: 5-year electronics, 1-year stove (structure terms not stated)
Main advantage: Roomy: about 12.6 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 9.9 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 14.2 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 16.3 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 14.2 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 11.8 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 14.1 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 12.2 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Wattage not published, so running cost can't be estimated
Main advantage: Roomy: about 7.6 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 9.0 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 9.0 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 7.9 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Warranty shorter than most similar saunas: 5-year electronics, 1-year stove (structure terms not stated)
Main advantage: Roomy: about 8.3 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 9.6 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 11.8 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Needs a dedicated 240V or 30A circuit, installed by an electrician
Main advantage: Roomy: about 11.2 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Warranty shorter than most similar saunas: True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty
Main advantage: Roomy: about 11.4 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Warranty shorter than most similar saunas: True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty
Main advantage: Roomy: about 16.5 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Priced high for its category: $17,895 against a $8,180 median for traditional and hybrid outdoor saunas
Main advantage: Roomy: about 9.9 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Warranty shorter than most similar saunas: True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty
Main advantage: Roomy: about 8.1 sq ft of footprint per seat
Main compromise: Short warranty: Warranty length not stated on the listing
Main advantage: No standout strength against similar saunas in the published specs
Main compromise: Priced high for its category: $11,277 against a $8,180 median for traditional and hybrid outdoor saunas
Main advantage: No standout strength against similar saunas in the published specs
Main compromise: Priced high for its category: $11,940 against a $8,180 median for traditional and hybrid outdoor saunas
Main advantage: No standout strength against similar saunas in the published specs
Main compromise: Size not published, so we can't check whether it fits
| Sauna | Price | Seats | W × D × H | Footprint | Heating | Power | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finnmark FD-6 Infrared Barrel, Cedar | $9,995 | 4 | 75 × 79 × 75 in | 41 sq ft | Full-spectrum infrared panels | 120V 15A · 1,750 W | 5 years on the cabin, lifetime on the heaters |
| SaunaLife E6 Ergo 3-Person Barrel Kit | $5,644 | 3 | 81 × 59 × 85 in | 33 sq ft | 6 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 25A · 6,000 W | SaunaLife 5-year limited (residential); the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Finnmark FD-7 Infrared Barrel | $9,495 | 4 | 79 × 75 × 75 in | 41 sq ft | Full-spectrum infrared panels | 120V 15A · 1,750 W | 5 years on the cabin, lifetime on the heaters |
| SaunaLife E7 Ergo 4-Person Barrel Kit | $6,444 | 4 | 81 × 71 × 85 in | 40 sq ft | 6 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 25A · 6,000 W | SaunaLife 5-year limited (residential); the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Golden Designs St. Moritz 2-Person Barrel | $5,099 | 2 | 75 × 60 × 80 in | 31 sq ft | 6 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 30A · 6,000 W | 5-year electronics, 1-year stove (structure terms not stated) |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft MiniPOD 4-Person (CTC77MW) | $7,243 | 4 | 86 × 85 × 84 in | 50 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| SaunaLife EE6G Glass-Front Barrel 4-Person | $7,307 | 4 | 91 × 63 × 95 in | 40 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | SaunaLife 5-year limited residential; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Serenity Barrel 4-Person (CTC2245W) | $7,444 | 4 | 86 × 94 × 86 in | 57 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Elation Barrel 4-Person (CTC2424W) | $8,262 | 4 | 98 × 96 × 88 in | 65 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Serenity MP Barrel 4-Person (CTC2245MP) | $9,292 | 4 | 86 × 94 × 86 in | 57 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Harmony Barrel 4-Person (CTC22W) | $7,200 | 4 | 86 × 79 × 86 in | 47 sq ft | 6 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 25A · 6,000 W | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Tranquility Barrel 5-Person (CTC2345W) | $7,800 | 5 | 86 × 118 × 86 in | 71 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| SunRay Solace 200SH Barrel 2-Person | $4,790 | 2 | 72 × 49 × 76 in | 24 sq ft | Electric stove with stones (size not published) | 240V 30A | SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics |
| SunRay Aurora 300SH Barrel 4-Person | $5,290 | 4 | 72 × 61 × 76 in | 30 sq ft | 6 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 30A · 6,000 W | SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics |
| SunRay Oasis 300SC Canopy Barrel 4-Person | $5,790 | 4 | 72 × 72 × 76 in | 36 sq ft | 6 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 30A · 6,000 W | SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics |
| SunRay Galley 400SH Barrel 4-Person | $5,890 | 4 | 72 × 72 × 76 in | 36 sq ft | 6 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 30A · 6,000 W | SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics |
| Golden Designs Klosters 6-Person Barrel | $7,099 | 6 | 75 × 91 × 80 in | 47 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 40A · 8,000 W | 5-year electronics, 1-year stove (structure terms not stated) |
| SaunaLife EE8G 6-Person Glass-Front Barrel | $8,507 | 6 | 91 × 79 × 95 in | 50 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | SaunaLife 5-year limited (residential); the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| SaunaLife G3 6-Person Outdoor Pod | $9,138 | 6 | 95 × 87 × 92 in | 57 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | SaunaLife 5-year limited residential; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Tranquility MP Barrel 6-Person (CTC2345MP) | $9,506 | 6 | 86 × 118 × 86 in | 71 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| True North Schooner Barrel, 6 ft (4-Person) | $9,470 | 4 | 90 × 72 × 80 in | 45 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| True North 6 ft Barrel (4-Person) | $9,800 | 4 | 89 × 74 × 90 in | 46 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| SaunaLife G11 8-Person with Changing Room | $17,895 | 8 | 161 × 118 × 98 in | 132 sq ft | 9 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 37.5A · 9,000 W | SaunaLife 5-year limited residential; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| True North 8 ft Barrel (6-Person) | $10,462 | 6 | 89 × 96 × 90 in | 60 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| SaunaLife E8 Ergo Barrel 6-Person | $7,307 | 6 | 81 × 87 × 85 in | 49 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | Warranty length not stated on the listing |
| True North 9 ft Barrel (8-Person) | $11,277 | 8 | 84 × 108 × 90 in | 63 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| True North Large Pod 8 ft (8-Person) | $11,940 | 8 | 84 × 96 × 96 in | 56 sq ft | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| True North 10 ft Barrel (8-Person) | $11,786 | 8 | Not published | Not published | 8 kW electric stove with stones | 240V 33.3A · 8,000 W | True North 2-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
Several of these barrels are sold as kits that you assemble on site, and the seller's listing says so. Assembly time, tools and whether the stove is included all vary by maker. Check the seller's page before you compare prices, because a kit price and an installed price are not the same thing.
The stoves here are rated at 6 kW or 8 kW or 9 kW where the maker publishes it, and each is connected by an electrician rather than plugged in. The infrared barrels use a standard 120V plug. The distance from your panel to the sauna has a big effect on what that wiring costs. Our electrical requirements guide lists each model's circuit, and our installation cost guide collects sourced price ranges for the circuit, the base and assembly.
Picked from the 28 saunas on this page by the numbers each seller publishes. Spec scores are unchanged; this only sorts them by situation. Each one links to its full page.
Spec score 76, the highest of the 28 here.
Spec score 75 at $5,644, at or below the $8,031 median here.
About 24 sq ft of floor (72 × 49 × 76 in).
Seats 8 in about 132 sq ft.
Plugs into a standard 120V 15A outlet.
SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics.
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Wood, top temperature and warranty terms as each seller lists them. The first 15 of 28 are shown. Compare any of them in Sauna Matchup, or check sizes in Fit Check.
| Sauna | Wood | Top temp | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finnmark FD-6 Infrared Barrel, Cedar | Western Canadian cedar, 1.5 in staves | 170 °F | 5 years on the cabin, lifetime on the heaters |
| SaunaLife E6 Ergo 3-Person Barrel Kit | Thermally modified spruce, 1.65 in | Not published | SaunaLife 5-year limited (residential); the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Finnmark FD-7 Infrared Barrel | Thermally modified aspen staves, cedar frame and benches | 170 °F | 5 years on the cabin, lifetime on the heaters |
| SaunaLife E7 Ergo 4-Person Barrel Kit | Thermally modified spruce, 1.65 in | Not published | SaunaLife 5-year limited (residential); the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Golden Designs St. Moritz 2-Person Barrel | Pacific cedar | 190 °F | 5-year electronics, 1-year stove (structure terms not stated) |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft MiniPOD 4-Person (CTC77MW) | Eastern white cedar | Not published | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| SaunaLife EE6G Glass-Front Barrel 4-Person | Thermally modified spruce, thermo-aspen benches | Not published | SaunaLife 5-year limited residential; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Serenity Barrel 4-Person (CTC2245W) | Eastern white cedar | Not published | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Elation Barrel 4-Person (CTC2424W) | Eastern white cedar | Not published | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Serenity MP Barrel 4-Person (CTC2245MP) | Eastern white cedar | Not published | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Harmony Barrel 4-Person (CTC22W) | Eastern white cedar | Not published | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| Dundalk LeisureCraft Tranquility Barrel 5-Person (CTC2345W) | Eastern white cedar | Not published | Dundalk 5-year limited; the heater has its own maker's warranty |
| SunRay Solace 200SH Barrel 2-Person | Western red cedar | 170 °F | SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics |
| SunRay Aurora 300SH Barrel 4-Person | Western red cedar | 170 °F | SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics |
| SunRay Oasis 300SC Canopy Barrel 4-Person | Western red cedar | 170 °F | SunRay lists 7 years structural in its warranty terms (10 elsewhere on the page; we use the lower figure) and 1 year on parts and electronics |
Answer seven quick questions about your yard, wiring and budget, and see which saunas fit, barrel or not.
Yes. Every barrel here is sold for outdoor use and needs a level, solid base. Each maker's manual sets the exact requirement, and our installation cost guide lists sourced price ranges for a concrete pad.
Only the infrared ones. 2 infrared barrels here use a standard 120V plug. The other 26 use a 240V stove on a dedicated circuit, connected by an electrician.
The barrels we list are rated for 2 to 8 people by their makers. Seat counts are the maker's figure, so check the bench length if you plan to lie down.
Not always. Barrels here run $4,790 to $17,895, which overlaps the price range of the outdoor cabins we list. Compare the footprint, stove size and warranty rather than the shape.
Independent by design. We order saunas with our published method. Cedar Scout may earn a commission when you buy through affiliate links on this page. Commissions never change which saunas appear, their scores or their order. How we earn money.